Improvement in gate-latches



WJJ. ORAYGRAPT.

Gate-Latch.

I Patented July 29,1879.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. ORAYORAFT, OF SHELBYVILLE, INDIANA.

IM PROVEMENT IN GATE-LATCH ES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 217,863, dated July 29, 1879; application filed May 31, 1879. I

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. CRAY- CRAFT, of Shelbyville, in the county of Shelby and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gate-Latches, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain improvements in gate-latches; and consists in the new construction and arrangement of devices, and in the new combination of elements which are deemed essential, whereby new results are produced, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, and set forth in the annexed claim.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference in the different figures indicate like parts, Figure 1 represents a perspectiveview of my improved gate-latch in a recess formed in the gate-post, showing the arrangement of parts fully, and the position that the latches are in when the gate is closed or open. Fig. 2 represents the same, showing the position in which the latches are when a pin on the gate forces them apart as the gate closes, or in a position to release the pin and allow the gate to be opened. Fig. 3 represents a gate-stile, showing a latch-pin.

Referring to the drawings, A represents one of the gate-posts, having a recess, B G D, in which the latch mechanism is located. The latch is composed of two pieces, E E each part being constructed similar to that shown in the drawings-that is, the lower part, E, has a rear extension, E, with a notch or recess to receive the lower end of the connecting-rod G, which is pivoted thereto at n. The central part is provided with one or more upwardprojecting parts or lugs, E and the frontend is provided with a curved head, F, forming a hook, as shown. The upper latch is of the same construction, except that it has no slot at its rear end, and is pivoted by the screw or stud f to the lower latch, as shown.

The spring I) may be secured to the under side of the rear end of the upper latch, E and the lower end of the spring resting on the upper surface of the latch E; or a U-shaped spring may be used between the latches, thus holding the rear ends of the two latches wide apart, while the hooks F F at the front ends are forced together, as shown in Fig. 1.

The connecting-rod G is pivoted to the rear end of the lower latch at n, and extends upward, its upper end also being pivoted to the rear end of the T-shaped lever H.

The lever H is a straight bar with a downward projection, K, near the middle, and is provided with a screw-hole between the projection K and pivoted end m, in which the screw J is inserted, on which the lever operates.

The front end of the lever H is pivoted to a vertical rod, L, at r, and the rod L extends upward in the recess B above the gate-post, where it may be provided with a knob, s, for operating the latches.

The stile WV of the gate, Fig. 3, is provided with a small pin, 00, which projects far enough to strike against the curved or beveled edges to a of the latch-hooks F F as the gate closes, thus forcing the hooks F F apart, as shown in Fig. 2, until the pin passes the hooks. The spring bthen causes the hooks F F to come together and hold the pin a: in the recesses found behind the hooks. Should it be desired to open the gate, then the knob A is forced down, causing the lever H to assume the position shown in Fig. 2. The connecting-rod G draws up the rear end of the lower latch, while the projection K forces down the rear end of the upper latch, thus opening the hook F F and releasing the pin 00, so that the gate can be opened.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a gate-latch, the combination of the two latches E E, spring I), connecting-rod ,G, T- shaped lever H, and rod L, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM J. ORAYORAFT.

Witnesses:

E. 0. FRINK, G. H. BENNETT. 

